Koh Phi Phi Lei

There's no way you can keep it out of Lonely Planet, and once that happens it's countdown to dooms day - says one of the characters in the movie 'The Beach'.

Although the popular novel (turned into a Hollywood movie) by Alex Garland is set in Thailand, it's been rumored that the actual inspiration for it is the Philippines.

Our own beach, just across "The Beach".

Koh Phi Phi Don

Koh Phi Phi Don is the largest of the Phi Phi Islands. It is almost separated into two islands, but a strand of flat land (each side has a beach suitable for swimming) connects them. When we arrived at the Ton Sai Pier, Shervin led the way through the jungle straight to Long Beach. We scurried away from the mosh pit of locals and tourists haggling for accommodation.

Ko Phi Phi Don, shot from the view point.

Surat Thani-Krabi: Ferry From Hell

I was traumatized by the ferry ride from Koh Tao to Surat Thani. Though the ticket was a well-haggled 800 THB inclusive of ferry from Koh Tao to Surat Thani, bus from Surat Thani to Krabi, and ferry from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi Don.

We weren't given seats but beds since it was a ten-hour overnight trip. Had it been a day trip, it would just be five hours via express boat. The water was rough and I felt the boat crashing into the waves one after the other. I have never felt so sea sick in my whole life!

For this overnight ride, passengers are given beds, not seats.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao (Turtle Island), lies 45km north of Koh Phangan. It's known for diving and snorkeling because of its water visibility and abundant coral and marine life. Poch, Shervin and I headed to Koh Tao the day after the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan.

Our Couchsurfing host Sameer (who's from El Salvador and was then looking for a job as dive instructor) picked us up from the pier (ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao, 350 THB) one by one with his motorbike, and took us to his apartment which has a balcony with a great view of the water.

Taken by Poch at Freedom Beach.

Full Moon Party

We found out about the Full Moon Party when we were in Koh Samui. Travel agents were promoting it because they offer speed boats to and fro Koh Phangan. Since Shervin and I wanted the trip to be as cheap as possible, we didn't hang out in bars and clubs. We would buy beer from the grocery or 7-11 instead. But since Koh Phangan is famous for this full moon event (also for Half-Moon Party, Black Moon and Shiva Moon Party), we thought, might as well check it out.

Dancing from dusk 'til dawn - or 'til the next dusk.

Koh Phangan

Getting off an overloaded ferry was hell, but such big relief we docked Koh Phangan alive. Koh Phangan is 15km north of Koh Samui and is considered as the hammock haven of Thailand.

Our overcrowded ferry to Koh Phangan.

Topless at Lamai Beach!

Chaweng Beach is the most popular one in Koh Samui. Its long stretch of beach has lots of posh bungalows and pumping bars. That means, majority of the tourists flock here. But if you're content to just lay on the beach and have low-key, quiet nights, then Lamai Beach is for you. It is for us.

New Hut Bungalows at Lamai Beach.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand (bordering the South China Sea in the Pacific Ocean). It is part of the Surat Thani province, and is only a two-hour express boat ride from Surat Thani's Ban Don Pier.

One of Koh Samui's sights, the Grandfather Rock.

Hat Yai-Surat Thani

Hat Yai (Haad Yai/Had Yai) is a city in Southern Thailand near the border of Malaysia. From Kuala Lumpur it is an eight-hour bus ride (50 RM) to its city center. We arrived at around 5:00 PM and bought tickets for an overnight bus straight away. It costs 500 THB including ferry and transfer from the travel agent to the bus station (which is 2KM from the city center).

It would be cheaper to buy bus tickets at the station and ferry tickets at the port, but we figured we'll be ripped off by a songthaew driver who'll take us to the station anyway - might as well pay the few extra bucks for a more stress free trip.

Dawn at Surat Thani's Pier.

Kuala Lumpur

After spending 2 hours in Singapore, we took a bus (S$25) to Kuala Lumpur. It was the cheapest available since it wasn't 'VIP'. We were concerned that the ride won't be comfortable and seats might not have much leg room for passengers. Lo and behold, we found out we were the only passengers on the bus!

Just gotta see this landmark!